Women's Rugby World Cup: Kickoff time, how to watch in NZ, live streaming, teams, odds

Women's Rugby World Cup starts on Saturday. Black Ferns Arihiana Marino-tauhinu, Kendra Cocksedge, Amy Du Plessis, Santo Taumata, Wayne Smith and Sir Graham Henry are preparing for the tournament.

The 2021 women's Rugby World Cup will begin at Eden Park at 2:15 pm. Around 47,000 fans will attend the first sold out women’s sports event at the park. It will be the largest ever attendance at a standalone women't sports in New Zealand. The third match of the tournament features a live performance from popstar Rita Ora. A capacity crowd of 4,500 fans are expected to attend match day four at Waitākere Stadium on 16 October.

Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand. England are the team to play.

Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand.

England are favourites to win the World Cup. They have won 25 matches in a row. Rugby Football Union has invested heavily in their women's rugby. They last won the tournament in 2014. The team has the best programme and the most supported coaches.

The Black Ferns are the most successful nation in the women's game. They have endured a torrid past 12 months before a home World Cup. The team had a disastrous northern tour last year and were twice heavily beaten by England and France. Their previous head coach Glenn Moore left and the team was in turmoil. Wayne Smith, who helped steer the All Blacks to successive World Cups triumphs, has been in charge for the past six months. Mike Cron, Sir Graham Henry and even Dan Carter are also involved in coaching the Black Ferns.

Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand. Thomas Darracq is the coach.

France have lost 10 straight matches to England. Gaelle Mignot was drafted in as forwards coach after this year's Six Nations. David Ortiz will coach the defence. Laure Sansus will retire after the World Cup.

Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand. Canada is the team to play.

Canada have played at every World Cup and have never finished lower than sixth. They were the only team that seriously challenged England last autumn. Their players have benefited from playing in the Premier 15s.

The Black Ferns are likely to prove a step too far for Australia. Wales and Scotland are also tough opponents. Australia's women's team has been plagued by controversy since Dwayne Nestor resigned in July 2021.

The USA women's team is playing in the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. They beat Scotland 21-17 in August and were beaten 52-14 by England in their other warm-up.

The Rugby World Cup is the biggest in women's 15-a-side rugby. It will be played at Eden Park, Waitākere Stadium and Northland Events Centre. The competition is divided into three pools. Pool-stage matches will take place between October 8 and 23. Quarter-finals will play on October 29 and 30. Semifinals will happen on November 5. Grand final will also take places at the same venue.

The Black Ferns are the reigning champions. They have won four out of the past five Rugby World Cups. France and England beat them in two tests last year.

Spark Sport has the rights to show all 26 matches live. The Herald will be live blogging every match of the tournament. Radio commentary is running live on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and on iHeartRadio for all Black Ferns matches. Pool matches will also be available to watch on free-to-air TV, Three, delayed.